"On behalf of the Tom Petty family we are devastated to announce the untimely death of of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty," a family statement said.

&nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspIndiatimes

New York: American music legend Tom Petty died on Monday after suffering from Cardiac arrest, his family confirmed and issued a statement announcing the same.

"On behalf of the Tom Petty family we are devastated to announce the untimely death of of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty," a family statement said.

Petty's death was first reported by Los Angles celebrity news website TMZ, who said that the music legend had been found unconscious at his home in Malibu on Sunday night - a report that was angrily dismissed by the star's daughter.

CBS television, quoting an unnamed police source, soon afterwards said definitively that the rocker had died.

Petty -- whose hits also include "American Girl," "Don't Come Around Here No More" and "Free Fallin'" -- just last week had wrapped up a tour to mark 40 years of his band the Heartbreakers.

Born in Gainesville, Florida, Petty has infused his brand of rock 'n' roll with Southern influences and a dark lyrical sense, with songs of small-town Americans striving but facing roadblocks.

Music legend Tom Petty passes away at 66 after suffering cardiac arrestDescription:"On behalf of the Tom Petty family we are devastated to announce the untimely death of of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty," a family statement said.Times Now